Insights

Latest from the National Weather Service

• John Cornelison
• 6/25/21

This morning’s briefings included these slides that may be of interest…

June’s Record Heat Wave

• John Cornelison
• 6/25/21

An extended heat wave will affect Vashon and the rest of the Puget Sound this weekend with  high temperatures above 105 degrees predicted Sunday and Monday.

Heat waves can be dangerous for elders, infants, people on medications, and people with health conditions that increase heat sensitivity, so it's important to take sensible precautions to avoid heat-related illness.

Here are some tips to beat the heat from Public Health -- Seattle & King County and VashonBePrepared....

• Minimize physical exertion and do outdoor activities during the cooler morning hours.
• Stay in the shade and keep sipping a cool non-alcoholic drink. Water is best.
• Don't leave people or pets in the car, even with the windows rolled down.
• Wear light, loose, breathable clothing, preferably cotton.
• Check on others, to spot and respond to any signs of heat illness, such as nausea and confusion, dry hot flushed skin, and rapid pulse.
• Practice water safety by using personal flotation devices, and remember the sunscreen.

Few people in our area have air conditioning but you can improvise. You can make a simple evaporative cooler -- like a swamp cooler -- by draping a wet towel over a chair and aiming your fan at it so the cooled air blows your way. Remoisten the towel when it gets too dry to make cool air.

See the hot weather blog at Public Health Seattle - King County for more tips to beat the heat.

https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/emergency-preparedness/preparing-yourself/hot-weather.aspx

New Amendment to the state Good Samaritan Law

• John Cornelison
• 4/29/21

Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed a new amendment into law on Tuesday, and it will take effect 7/25/21.

Here’s the link to the formal wording and the RCW citation for future reference. http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/House/1209-S.SL.pdf#page=1

Remember this is the section that applies to people helping their neighbors in a “it’s a disaster” situation, not the people who have protections as a Registered Emergency Worker (their coverage is in a different section).

Our appreciation to West Seattle Be Prepared neighbor Cindi Barker for her efforts to get this passed in this year’s busy legislative session.

New Tsunami Maps for Puget Sound

• John Cornelison
• 4/27/21

Click map for a larger version

The impact of disasters and crises on agriculture and food security-- 2021

• John Cornelison
• 3/23/21

A new report from the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations paints a somber picture for agrarian communities.

Washington Good Samaritan law

• John Cornelison
• 3/19/21

Washington Good Samaritan law protects the general public during some activities even outside declared emergencies. Some aspects of the law are being reconsidered:

The current Washington State Good Samaritan Law covers only medical aid given in times of a disaster. There is no provision for the general population to have Good Samaritan protection should they want to help their neighbors in the response to a significant event outside of a clear medical context.

In 2021, a new bill has been sponsored to add an addition to the existing law and is currently moving through the House. The requested addition extends the existing law to include non-medical aid given in times of disaster.

Important note: this would be beneficial in response to all hazards, including flooding, landslides, and wildfires, and is not specific only to an earthquake scenario.

Key Points:

• Emergency Managers throughout the State of Washington work to help their residents prepare for disaster and build community resilience as their resources will be overwhelmed in a major disaster.
• The Good Samaritan Law as written currently covers only medical assistance. In a major disaster, if neighbors are going to help neighbors, as is promoted by emergency management across the state, then the state should extend the law and its liability coverage to those volunteers.
• CERT programs, medical and first responders, as well other emergency worker volunteer teams will NOT be affected by this change, and will provide those teams with more willing and protected people who will help them in a disaster.
• There is precedent by other States for this addition to the Good Samaritan Law.

To read the bill (HB1209) and track its progress: Washington State Legislature

To write a testimony in support: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1209

West Seattle Be Prepared's Cindi Barker is a local resource for more information on this.

Initial Earthquake Early Warning System Test

• John Cornelison
• 2/23/21

For this Sunday’s 20th anniversary of the Nisqually Earthquake, the University of Washington has created created a simulation based on that historic quake.

West Coast Fire and Smoke Map

• John Cornelison
• 9/10/20

Here is a fire and smoke map that updates hourly using a variety of sources, including satellite.

It’s centered on Oregon when you first pull it up, but if you scroll up you’ll find Washington. You can see the Sumner Grade Fire in Bonney Lake and the newer fire southeast of Enumclaw.

If you zoom out, you can clear see the entire west coast on fire. ☹

https://data.statesmanjournal.com/fires/

2020 Vashon Suicide Prevention Campaign

• John Cornelison
• 9/2/20

The Double Disaster: When the pandemic struck, it quickly became clear that our island community faced two emergencies. First, there was the need to fight the disease, help people understand how to keep themselves and their families safe. Second, our community was being hit by a devastating economic and emotional disaster.

Islanders at Emotional Risk: At peak, a quarter of all Vashon workers had applied for unemployment benefits. A Chamber of Commerce survey showed that 40% of our businesses went dark. Schools sent kids home. Hundreds of families are worrying about getting enough food, keeping a home, and making choices between safety and essential work paychecks. Isolated seniors are descending into loneliness and depression. Island social service agencies are seeing increased substance abuse and household violence.

The Risks - Know Them - Avoid Them

• John Cornelison
• 5/31/20

The following is a great post recommended by Vashon’s Jinna Risdal, PhD, and the original link (with diagrams) is at:

Chamber of Commerce offers 15 Re-Opening Workshops

• John Cornelison
• 5/26/20

· Registration has started for reopening workshops being put on by the Chamber of Commerce. Fifteen of the workshops have been scheduled over the next two weeks. They are designed to aid local businesses and organizations open up under the Phase 2 safety conditions set by the Governor. The planning workshops will help businesses reduce risk to staff, ensure customers feel safe and secure, and give business operators confidence that they are following best practices to protect our community’s health. The free workshops are offered by Vashon Chamber of Commerce and are being funded by VashonBePrepared. Each participant will receive a toolkit that will including masks (provided by Masks for Vashon), sanitizer, floor signs for six foot distancing, and signage for the establishment's safety commitments. One option in the free toolkit will be plexiglass sneeze shields fabricated by volunteers from the Makerspace/Tool Library group. Visit https://www.vashonchamber.com/re-opening-round-tables/ to sign up for one of the workshops:

o In-Home Services and Constructions, Thursdays May 28, Jun 4, and Jun 11 at 4pm

o Body Workers, Hair and Nail Salons, Grooming and Tattoo Artists, Mondays Jun1, Jun 8 and Jun 15 at noon

o Merchants, Galleries, Artists and Non-Essential Retail, Thursdays May 28, Jun 4, and Jun 11 at 9am

o Recreation & Fitness, Fridays Jun 5, Jun 12 and Jun 19 at 9am.

Restaurants, Bars and Beverages, Mon Jun 1, Thurs Jun 4 and Wed Jun 8 all at 10am

CDC’s Guidance for Re-opening America

• John Cornelison
• 5/7/20

The White House attempted to bury CDC’s scientific guidance, but it was made public though a leak.